Divaris restructures C-suite, names new execs

David Sutliff named CFO; Tony Divaris promoted to COO

Published May 4, 2023 by Courtney Mabeus-Brown

Virginia Beach-based Divaris Real Estate announced Thursday that it is restructuring its top leadership amid growth following recent acquisitions and partnerships.

David Sutliff, who has worked as an adviser to the company for 12 years, is the new chief financial officer. Tony Divaris, who was previously the company’s international controller and CFO, has been promoted to chief operating officer, the company said in a news release.

Sutliff will guide the firm’s financial strategy and drive operational efficiency. He has previously worked at accounting firm KPMG and is a certified public accountant licensed in Virginia. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accountancy and a master’s degree in accounting from East Carolina University.

In his new role, Tony Divaris will enhance company operations while implementing strategic changes to improve and complement the firm’s growth trajectory. He is the cousin of Gerald Divaris, chairman and CEO of the firm.

“With the addition of David Sutliff as our new CFO and the appointment of Tony Divaris as COO, we have assembled a talented executive team with diverse expertise, forward-thinking leadership and a shared commitment to driving company growth,” Divaris said in a statement. “Together, we will further the positioning of the Divaris Group as a national market and industry leader.”

The leadership restructuring comes as Divaris has grown through recent acquisitions and a partnership with KLNB that have added more than 200 employees to the company. In March, the company announced it acquired North Carolina-based McGarey Group, adding offices in that state, Maryland, Michigan and California.

The executive committee now includes Gerald Divaris as chairman and CEO, Michael Divaris as president and Gwen Gilbert as chief human resources officer, along with the addition of Sutliff and Tony Divaris.

Founded in 1974 in South Africa and headquartered in Virginia since 1981, Divaris Group is an international real estate services, brokerage and property management company that manages and/or leases more than 37.3 million square feet of office, retail and industrial space throughout the nation. Divaris Real Estate has offices in Virginia Beach, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond and Roanoke, as well as in Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina, Beverly Hills, California, and Washington, D.C.

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